April 15, 2020

Canada's industry leaders warn drastic impact of COVID-19 on meat supply

With some of North America's largest meat producers having been forced to close their plants or reduce output amid the COVID-19 outbreak, industry leaders warned of immediate and drastic effects on Canada's supply chain.

Beef processing capabilities have been reduced at a number of facilities in Canada and the US, including a temporary reduction at a Cargill meat plant in High River, Alberta, where dozens of employees have tested positive for COVID-19.

"This single facility represents just over one-third of Canada's total processing capability, so the impacts to the Canadian beef industry are expected to be immediate and drastic," according to Michelle McMullen, communications manager at the Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA), on Monday.

According to the CCA, other Canadian plants have reduced their operations in order to implement COVID-19 safety measures to allow for physical distancing in their plants.

Several plants in the US, including major producer JBS USA, have also shuttered or reduced production due to growing employee absences and mounting concerns about the virus.

With North American beef production "severely limited," CCA president Bob Lowe is calling on the Canadian government to introduce measures to support Canadian farmers and protect the country's supply chain.

"The Canadian beef industry is facing a period of extraordinary uncertainty," Lowe said.

"Existing programmes do not address the particular threats we are facing and in fact fall quite short. These are challenging times for all Canadians; it is together that we can implement solutions to ensure healthy and affordable food continues to be readily available."